Beware! Change ahead. Chinese in town

Uplift of agriculture, tourism sectors in Chitral discussed

?CHITRAL: A three-member Chinese delegation on Thursday stressed the need for the development of agriculture and tourism sectors saying it will promise ?food, fuel and income security? and thus, giving the people a sustainable livelihood.

The delegates are currently in Chitral at the invitation of the district government to explore the possibility of interaction between Gansu province of China and Chitral district.

Led by Prof Long Ruijun of Launzhu University, the delegates told a seminar here that Gansu province had become an agricultural hub producing more than 40 per cent of China?s fruits, vegetables and trout fish.

Prof Long said there was striking resemblance between the geographical features and climates of Chitral and Gansu and that both the regions were semi-arid zones and therefore, the initiative in one area could be successfully replicated in the other.


Chinese delegation in district at local govt?s invitation


He highlighted opportunities of bilateral support and cooperation in agricultural sector, including food processing and value addition, seed industry, small farming machinery, plastic film covered field, green house and family based biogas unit.

The visitor said 30 years ago, Gansu was deficient in agricultural produce and therefore, became food insecure but the consistent efforts of farmers along modern scientific lines turned it into an agricultural hub providing the goods for which it earlier depended on other provinces.

?We have travelled in many valleys and found that the agricultural experiences of Gansu can be easily yet successfully replicated there to become self-sufficient in food supply,? he said.

Prof Long said the trout farming was flourishing in his province with its daily production running into hundreds of tons, while the fresh water of Chitral was ideal for trout farming, which could provide employment to thousands of local residents.

He said there was a broad prospect of cooperation between the two areas in the wake of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor project for which the two areas must start preparations by chalking out strategy, while it was pleasant to note that the district government was well aware of the situation.

District nazim Maghfirat Shah said his government was committed to preparing the people of Chitral for the post-CPEC scenario and therefore, it was making all possible efforts for the purpose.

?We will exploit all available resources for which linkage is being established and strengthened between Chitral and Gansu,? he said.

Published in Dawn, May 19th, 2017

One thought on “Beware! Change ahead. Chinese in town

  1. All is OK but the Chitral District Administration may carefully note that our national interest may not be damaged at any stage. It may be ensured that our local labor will be provided the maximum opportunities and inducted on construction work throughout the process of joint venture. The Chinese have focused on Agriculture and Tourism sector particularly . As such infrastructure of food processing zones and producing value added food products should be our major objective. Furthermore, such products may carry the tag of “MADE IN PAKISTAN”. Because it is our identity and we cannot afford any compromise on this matter. The availability of Trout Fish in the clean water of “River Seen” is God Blessing for us. It is therefore, suggested that The medium size Trout Fish Farms should be launched in different points at the banks of ” River Seen” to provide equal opportunities of benefit to the local residents. The headquarter however, may be constructed at the north of Power House, Chitral. As regards Tourism, the Kalash Valley and it’s rich culture is recognized internationally and attracts the local and international tourists specially in summer season. As such proper facilities and infrastructure of roads, bridges, Hotelling and lodgestic arrangements of this area need to be developed and promoted. As far as the agriculture sector is concerned, our farmers possess small pieces of agricultural lands on different points. They almost carryout farming manually or hire equipment on rent basis. It is therefore, suggested that the poor farmers may be provided small farming equipment free of cost and also arranged for technical know how to learn the operation.

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